Duncan could miss most of regular season
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-22 09:52

Tim Duncan will be sidelined at least two weeks because of a sprained right ankle and could miss the rest of the regular season.

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan holds his foot after suffering a sprain to his right ankle during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Michigan March 20, 2005. The Spurs placed Duncan on the injured list and he is expected to miss the next 2-to-4 weeks. [Reuters]

The San Antonio Spurs placed the two-time MVP on the injured list Monday following an MRI exam. He flew home to San Antonio on Sunday to begin treatment while the rest of the team went to New York for Monday night's game against the Knicks.

The Spurs activated forward-center Sean Marks from the injured list to take Duncan's roster slot. Robert Horry started in Duncan's place against the Knicks.

Duncan — the Spurs' leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker — crumpled to the floor in the opening minutes of a 110-101 loss to Detroit on Sunday after scoring inside and coming down on Rasheed Wallace's foot. After the landing, Duncan's ankle turned in a gruesome fashion.

The 7-footer missed two games earlier this month with a sprained right ankle.

"It's the same ankle he hurt previously, and he really did a number on this one," coach Gregg Popovich said. "It's not broken, but he can't walk on it or anything right now. Two week minimum, I'm sure."

San Antonio (50-16), the Western Conference leader, has 16 more games over the next 30 days before the playoffs start. The Spurs clinched a playoff spot last week and are contending with Miami and Phoenix for home-court advantage throughout the postseason.

"If he's ready to play, we'll play him. If he isn't, we won't," Popovich said. "He won't allow me to let him sit there if he's healthy and ready to go. If he doesn't play any more regular season games, it'll because his ankle's not ready and he's not able."

Duncan entered Sunday's game averaging 21.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and nearly three blocks in 62 games.

The Spurs went 1-3 without him earlier this season.

Marks, a 7-foot New Zealander, has averaged three points and one rebound in seven games this season.

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